Summary

This Purchasing Agent role at Broward County involves handling the buying of goods, services, and construction projects for various county agencies, from creating bids to managing contracts and selecting vendors.

It supports the smooth operation and growth of public services in the area.

A good fit would be someone with a business background, experience in procurement, and strong skills in negotiation and communication who enjoys working in a team-focused government environment.

Key Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, or related field (or equivalent experience)
Two years of experience in centralized public or private sector purchasing, including some lead work
Ability to implement procurement principles, including market analysis for commodities and services
Effective oral and written communication skills
Knowledge of preparing solicitations, evaluating vendor responses, and ensuring compliance with requirements
Experience reviewing specifications for competitiveness and including necessary standards, licensing, insurance, and bonding

Full Job Description

This announcement will remain active until a sufficient number of applications has been received and may close at any time.

***** This is not a remote position*****

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners is seeking qualified candidates for Purchasing Agent.

The Broward County Purchasing Division is responsible for procuring of goods, services, construction, and professional services for over 60 different agencies of the Board of County Commissioners. As a centralized purchasing agency, the Division is responsible for:

Creating and issuing solicitations
Vendor selection
Negotiation
Award
Contract management
Reporting
Disposal of surplus property, and
Logistic / resource management support for emergencies

The Broward County Purchasing Division has been nationally recognized, receiving the National Institute of Government Procurement’s Outstanding Agency Accreditation Award (OA4), and the National Procurement Institute’s Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award.

Additionally, it has received the Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. (FAPPO) Award of Excellence in Public Procurement.

The Purchasing Agent (PA) provides a key role in the division, procuring the goods and services required to operate, maintain, and grow the County’s operations, for all who live, learn, work and play in Broward County.

General Description:
Performs specialized work in a large central purchasing operation with responsibility to bind the County for the purchase of commodities and/or services up to an authorized threshold.
Works independently, under supervision, reporting major activities through periodic meetings.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Requires a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business, public administration, or closely related field.

(One year of relevant experience may be substituted for each year of required education.)

Requires two (2) years in a centralized public or private sector purchasing operation with some lead work experience or closely related experience.

Preferences:

Master’s degree in relevant field
Certified Professional Public Buyer or (CPPB)
Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO)
Certified Procurement Professional (CPP)
Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)
1+ years of Government Procurement Experience
Bonfire (electronic bidding system) experience
1+ years of PeopleSoft/ERP Experience

Knowledge Abilities and Skills:

Implements the principles and practices of procurement, including market factors such as availability, sources of supply, trends, pricing structures, grades and qualities that impact the procurement of assigned commodities and services, and apply this knowledge to make effective purchases and to resolve associated problems.

Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing.

Requirements

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the job as necessary.

Reviews, corrects, and researches using agency's specifications to ensure competitive and non-restrictive requirements; ensures basic requirements and industry standards/certifications are included; determines if licensing, insurance and bonding are required.

Prepares solicitations for advertising. Evaluates vendor responses for responsiveness, responsibility, and compliance with solicitation requirements. Performs solicitation award processes and prepares central purchase orders.

Prepares memoranda requesting special conditions for solicitations, makes recommendations for award/rejection of solicitations, or responses to vendor issues or protests.

Responsible for conducting presentations, outreach events, or pre-bid/proposal conferences.

Reviews, analyzes and resolves purchasing issues. Determines the appropriate terms, conditions, pricing structure, specifications, and forms for assigned procurements.

Responds to requests for information and public records requests.

Reviews and analyzes existing contracts to determine whether the contract should be renewed or re-solicited and prepares recommendations for renewal. Processes recommended contract renewals.

Performs related work as assigned.

Qualifications

Physical Demands

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment)

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

None.

Additional Information

Competencies

Manages Complexity

Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. Looks at complex issues from multiple angles; explores issues to uncover underlying issues and root causes; sees the main consequences and implications of different options.

Resourcefulness

Secures and deploys resources effectively and efficiently. Identifies and obtains resources needed to accomplish objectives; identifies different ways to accomplish work when resources are limited. Makes progress across multiple priorities or responsibilities.

Optimizes Work Processes

Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. Generally follows defined and communicated standards, methods, and procedures. Seeks advice and finds ways to work better within processes. Makes some reasonable suggestions to improve work methods.

Ensures Accountability

Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. Accepts responsibility for own work, both successes and failures. Handles fair share and does not make excuses for problems. Usually meets commitments to others.

Drives Results

Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances. Regularly pushes self to achieve outstanding outcomes; consistently establishes bold goals for own performance; is passionate about excellent results and significant contributions. Shows great tenacity to complete goals/initiatives in a timely way.

Communicates Effectively

Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Listens attentively and takes an interest. Keeps others well informed; conveys information clearly, concisely, and professionally when speaking or writing.

Demonstrates Self-Awareness-Awareness

Uses a combination of feedback and reflection to gain productive insight into personal strengths and weaknesses. Actively seeks feedback from a variety of sources; asks clarifying questions to understand and improve own impact on others or on team performance. Reflects on and learns from own mistakes.

County Core Values

All Broward County employees strive to demonstrate the County's four core behavioral competencies.

Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
Customer focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
Instills trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
Values differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance

Broward County is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion. Broward County is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. We support the hiring of people with disabilities; therefore, if you require assistance due to a disability, please contact the Professional Standards Section in advance at 954-357-6500 or email Profstandards@broward.org to make an accommodation request.

Emergency Management Responsibilities

Note: During emergency conditions, all County employees are automatically considered emergency service workers. County employees are subject to being called to work in the event of a disaster, such as a hurricane, or other emergency situation and are expected to perform emergency service duties, as assigned.

County-wide Employee Responsibilities

All Broward County employees must serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full accord with the letter and spirit of Broward County's Employee Code of Ethics, gift, and conflict of interest policies.

All Broward County employees must establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, elected and appointed officials and members of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity and expression.

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